Bolingbrook set a school record with 24 wins last fall, but star 6-foot-2 outside hitter Natalie Mitchem is now attending Ball State, and the Raiders must carry on without her. Illprepvb.com begins its coverage of the 2019 Illinois girls high school season with the first set of previews. School: Bloomington Central Catholic Conference: Illini PrairieHead coach: Teresa UlrichLast season’s highlights: 21-15 overall, 5-4 in conference (fourth place), finished third at Saints Fall Classic, fifth at Sterling invi...
York communicates, then dominates Downers Grove South
Downers Grove South's Addison Karmik, Jessica Juerke, Holly Kaczmarek, Rose Dumford and Lucy Dumford. York got off to a rough start Monday at Downers Grove South. It was just a matter of talking things out. “I think we started to see what the other team (Downers Grove South) was doing, we started to communicate more with each other … talking about setting up the block, covering tips and short serves … all that,” said York’s 5-foot-11 senior outside hitter Sophia Glabus. “That was definitely a game-changer there,” she said. Y...
‘Oh, Homewood-Flossmoor’ rallies from big third-set deficit to beat L-W East
Lincoln-Way East's Kaleigh Ritter, Nicki Bechtold, Molly Skoda, Jess Pappas and Hannah Kowalczyk. By Randy Whlen Special to Illprepvb.com Energy. Homewood-Flossmoor brought that when it mattered most. As a result, the Vikings got a huge win as they knocked off host Lincoln-Way East 28-26, 19-25, 25-22 in a SouthWest Suburban Conference Blue Division battle Tuesday in Frankfort. Junior outside hitters Miara Bolden (4 kills, 6 blocks) and Lia Sidberry (7 kills) led the way for Homewood-Flossmoor (18-7, 1-0), which registered its ...
Assumption snaps Marist’s winning streak at 56 in final of ASICS Challenge
Assumption (Louisville, Ky.) defeated Marist 25-21, 25-20 to win the ASICS Challenge at McAuley. By Randy Whalen Special to Illprepvb.com No one wants to lose. Especially not after winning 56 straight matches. So, although the win streak is over for Marist, the defending Class 4A state champions vow that this will make them a better team when the postseason begins. Meanwhile, they will have to start a new run after their 56-match winning streak ended with a 25-21, 25-20 loss to Assumption (Louisville, Kentucky) in the title mat...
Adversity founder Mike Hulett remembered as a coach, friend and mentor
Adversity founder Mike Hulett passed away suddenly on May 9. (photo courtesy of USA Volleyball) Michael R. Hulett, founder of Adversity Volleyball Club and the former head coach for the U.S. Men's and Women's Sitting Volleyball Teams who passed away suddenly May 9, was remembered as a friend, a mentor and an inspiration."The Adversity family and volleyball community experienced a significant loss with Mike's passing," said Adversity girls' program director Melissa Vandrey Masterson. "We lost a mentor, a coach, and more importantly, a friend...
Joliet Catholic armed and ready to challenge Sterling, rugged Class 3A field
Led by Bella Ray (14) and Jillian Gray (4), Joliet Catholic is eager to improve upon last year's third-place finish in the Class 3A tournament. (Photos by Dave Ruggles). Three state titles. Three runner-up finishes. Third-place finishes in 2006 and 2018. A fourth-place trophy in 2005. More than 560 wins during the head coach Chris Scheibe’s 19-year tenure. Joliet Catholic has been a preeminent player in IHSA girls volleyball since Allie Quigley & Co. defeated Barrington and former U.S. national volleyball team member Nellie Spicer for ...
Chicago Christian, Joliet West looking to make long tournament runs in 2019
Chicago Christian, which finished 9-2 and in third place at the UNO Summer League, hopes to return to the top of the Class 2A world in 2019. By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comA decade ago, the Chicago Christian girls’ volleyball team was on top of the world.With seven seniors back from last season’s Class 2A sectional final squad, the Knights hope to get back there in 2019.Chicago Christian has certainly showed this summer that it’s capable of getting back to Redbird Arena. The Knights tuned up for the upcoming fall campaign by g...
Wren Decker, Nazareth power past York in Mother McAuley Preview final
By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.com Wren Decker won't be there next season when Nazareth is back at the ASICS Challenge.But the senior outside hitter was glad that she helped her team get there.Decker crushed 7 kills, including the match winner, as the Roadrunners rallied down the stretch of the second set and defeated York 25-17, 28-26 on Saturday to win the McAuley Preview Tournament.The winner of the Preview tournament automatically advances to next year’s ASICS Tournament, which is one of the top tournaments in the country. It was ...
Sandburg, Riverside-Brookfield rule invites; Barrington speeds past New Trier
Barrington setter Kyle Vasquez dumps one over the net during the the Broncos' win over New Trier Saturday at North Central College. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) By Randy WhalenSpecial to Illprepvb.comThis is the time of the season a team wants to hit its stride. Sandburg certainly is.The Eagles scored the final 3 points of the match and slipped past Downers Grove North, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23, to capture the championship of the Richards Tournament on Saturday in Oak Lawn.Junior rightside hitter David Vales, who is the son of the Eagles’ coach by ...
This time, Minooka, Lewis get the better of Marist to win Tiger Classic title
AJ Lewis had 17 kills to lead Minooka past Marist for the Tiger Classic championship. (Photos by Dave Ruggles) Same teams. One week later. Different result. With his team trailing 14-9 in the third set, Minooka’s 6-foot-4 outside hitter AJ Lewis sparked a 5-0 run with 3 kills and a block as the Indians rallied for an 18-25, 26-24, 25-23 victory in the championship match of the 17th annual Tiger Classic at Wheaton Warrenville South. Lewis finished with 17 kills as Minooka reversed a 25-21, 25-21 loss suffered at the hands of Mar...